Sun 9/12 @ 10AM-4PM
Woofstock, a benefit hosted by Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village, bills itself as “the biggest dog festival of the year.”
Taking place at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field, it offers a day of fun for both dogs and their owners while raising money to help animals in need, not just dogs and cats but small animals and farm animals as well — they’re one of the few shelters with the facilities to take in neglected horses, sheep, cows, pigs and other larger animals.
The festive event features live music and food trucks but a lot of festivals have those. What makes it different is a bunch of contests you and your dog can compete in. Registration opens at 9:30pm There’s a blessing of the animals at 10:15am to start the day with a veil of protection, with another at noon in case your dog is acting up and needs a little more good mojo. There’s a dog grooming demonstration, a police K9 demonstration, more than 50 pet-related vendors, raffles, tests of skill and agility, and yes, an adopt-a-thon, in case you’ve been thinking you just don’t have enough pets yet.
Contests range from skill activities and races to dog/owner lookalike contests and ice cream-eating events, with separate categories for small, medium and large breeds so your chihuahua doesn’t have to compete with a Saint Bernard and probably try to attack it if it loses.